A conservation officer destroyed a black bear at a Port Coquitlam park this morning (Friday).

The adult bear was seen in Gates Park at around 6 p.m. Thursday, making its way across the Coquitlam River and into a townhouse complex on Gately Avenue.

But as the conservation and RCMP officers tried to locate it, the animal charged at the conservation officer, who was forced to shoot it. It fled into the greenbelt and was destroyed Friday morning in Gates Park.

Coquitlam RCMP had previously issued a warning yesterday, asking the public to stay off the trails on the west side of the Coquitlam River due to the injured bruin. The Mounties lifted the warning this morning.

More to come....

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